The German Ministry of Defence intends to implement long-term supply and maintenance contracts to ensure the Bundeswehr’s equipment capacity is maintained not only over the long term but also in the event of a defense conflict.
Jens Plötner, the State Secretary for Armaments, told Spiegel that contracts spanning three phases will be crucial to this strategy. The initial phase focuses on replenishing the troops’ current stockpiles-a process currently underway. Subsequently, the second phase involves maintaining a production capacity on standby, ideally at the manufacturer’s location, which allows the companies to continuously update IT systems. The third phase aims to secure contracts that allow for the rapid scaling up of stored capabilities during a defense crisis; this model is being applied to munitions and drone systems, and the industry is now expected to take responsibility for this.
The Ministry of Defence is currently evaluating whether this approach can be extended to larger systems, such as armored infantry vehicles. Plötner emphasized the need for sustained capacity planning and flexibility, especially as the combination of manned and unmanned military systems evolves. Crucially, he stressed that the German military must avoid a situation where industry produces a specific number of armored vehicles and then largely dismantles its production line. While he admitted he would welcome faster progress in replenishing the Bundeswehr’s supplies, he was realistic, stating that “a weapons system we order today won’t be on the barracks tomorrow. It doesn’t run like IKEA.”
The State Secretary noted that the German defence industry has shrunk by two-thirds since the late 1980s. Rebuilding this industrial base cannot happen overnight. However, according to Plötner, the military can still anticipate a number of major deliveries this year.
